As the Democratic Party looks ahead to 2028, a new frontrunner is emerging—and it’s not Kamala Harris. According to recent polling, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez now holds the highest net favorability rating among potential Democratic candidates. That’s a warning sign for Harris—and a troubling development for Republicans who hoped Democrats would continue marching toward moderate irrelevance.
AOC Captures the Base Kamala Can’t Reach
The numbers don’t lie. A Yale University poll shows AOC with a stunning 62% net favorability rating—the highest among any potential 2028 Democrat. She already commands 21% of the vote in early primary polling, second only to Kamala Harris, and only 11.7% of Democrats say they don’t recognize her name.
Her rise isn’t just about charisma. It’s about raw energy. AOC has tapped into the same populist fire that fueled Donald Trump—except she’s steering it hard left. Young voters and progressives view her as the future, while Harris struggles to generate the same grassroots passion.
Kamala’s Weakness Is the Establishment’s Liability
Vice President Harris may be the current front-runner on paper, but even Democrats know she’s a political liability. Her low approval ratings, poor debate performances, and repeated communications blunders have made her one of the most unpopular vice presidents in modern history.
There it is….
CNN just said AOC will be president in 2028.
Please run her.
pic.twitter.com/v7p9NgeBS2— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 15, 2025
Harris has never inspired confidence from the Democratic base—and now AOC is exposing that vulnerability. Backed by Bernie Sanders’ political machine and fueled by activist energy, Ocasio-Cortez has the tools to mount a serious insurgent campaign. If Harris faces AOC in a primary, the vice president’s establishment backing may not be enough to save her.
Red Flags for Republicans—and Opportunity
While conservatives rightly criticize AOC’s radical climate agenda, anti-police rhetoric, and hypocrisy (hello, Met Gala), she shouldn’t be underestimated. Her political instincts, media savvy, and Trump-like ability to rally a base make her the most dangerous kind of opponent: one who believes her own revolution is just beginning.
If the 2028 Democrat primary becomes AOC vs. Kamala, the result will be a civil war inside the Left. But it could also set the stage for the most extreme Democrat nominee in modern history—one who wants to dismantle capitalism, defund the police, and rewrite the Constitution in the name of “equity.”
Yale presidential poll, 2028:
1. VP Kamala 27.5%
2. Rep. AOC 21.3%
3. Buttigieg 14.0%
4. Newsom 6.4%Democrats are f*cked pic.twitter.com/ZGYzmshAWL
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 15, 2025
For conservatives, the takeaway is clear: Kamala Harris isn’t the real threat. AOC is. And if Republicans want to stop her, they’ll need to be ready for a 2028 showdown like no other. Kamala Harris may wear the crown, but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holds the power. The Democrats are drifting hard left—and AOC is steering the ship.